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What is the difference between physical and virtual cards?

Inna avatar
Written by Inna
Updated over 6 months ago

The key distinction between virtual and physical cards is that virtual cards only exist in digital form, while a physical card is also delivered to you in a plastic form.

Both cards:

  • Include a card number, CVV code, and expiration date.

  • Can be used for online shopping.

  • Can be added to Apple Pay and Google Pay for online and contactless offline payments.

  • Can be frozen.

Virtual cards:

  • Are digital, without a plastic form.

  • Issued within seconds. You can start using those immediately.

  • Don't have a PIN.

  • Can be used in stores only when paying with Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Physical cards:

  • Have a physical plastic form.

  • It takes time for the card to be printed and sent to your address.

  • Require setting up a PIN.

  • Can be used for cash withdrawals in ATMs.

  • Can be used in stores with a PIN.

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